Hawfinch vs Black-headed Siskin
Coccothraustes coccothraustes compared with Spinus notatus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Hawfinch | Black-headed Siskin |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coccothraustes coccothraustes | Spinus notatus |
| Order | Passeriformes | Passeriformes |
| Family | Fringillidae | Fringillidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | 18.0 cm (7.1 in) | — |
| Wingspan | 32.0 cm (12.6 in) | 13.0 cm (5.1 in) |
| Weight | 55.0 g (1.94 oz) | 11.383333333333333 g (0.40 oz) |
| Diet | Seeds and kernels, especially from cherries, olives, elms, and hornbeams. The bill exerts a force … | -- |
| Clutch Size | 3-5 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Hawfinch
Deciduous and mixed woodland, orchards, parks, and large gardens with mature fruiting trees.
Song & Call Comparison
Hawfinch
A sharp, metallic 'tsick' call — the primary vocalization and often all that's heard. Song is a thin, reedy warble. Generally inconspicuous vocally despite its striking appearance.
Black-headed Siskin
Geographic Range & Migration
Hawfinch
Europe, North Africa, and western and central Asia. Partially migratory, with northern populations moving south in winter.
Black-headed Siskin
Conservation Status
Hawfinch
Black-headed Siskin
How to Tell Them Apart
Hawfinch
Orange-brown head with a black bib and eye stripe. Warm brown back, grey nape, and broad white wing bar. Massive head and bill give a top-heavy appearance.
Enormously powerful, conical, pale bill capable of cracking cherry and olive stones
Black-headed Siskin
About These Birds
Hawfinch
The hawfinch possesses the most powerful bill relative to body size of any European bird, capable of cracking cherry stones that require a force of 27-43 kg. Despite its distinctive appearance, it is famously shy and difficult to observe. The skull contains special adaptations to absorb the enormous forces generated during seed-cracking.
Black-headed Siskin
The Black-headed Siskin is a small finch with a black head and throat, bright yellow body plumage, and dark wings with yellow patches. It inhabits montane pine-oak forests, forest edges, and semi-open areas from Mexico through Central America to Panama. It feeds on seeds, particularly those of pines and other conifers, often foraging in small flocks high in the trees.